Chinese refrigerant prices moved in mixed directions through October 2026. R22 continued its quota-driven climb, R134a and R404A firmed modestly on resilient end-demand, while R32 and its blend R410A softened as air-conditioner shipments slowed. Below is our summary of factory-gate reference prices tracked weekly by the SLIHE team, with the practical takeaways for wholesale buyers and importers.
Price summary (FOB China, USD/ton)
| Product | 11 Sep 2026 | 10 Oct 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| R22 | 1,864 | 1,940.3 | +4.1% |
| R32 | 8,500 | 8,358.2 | -1.7% |
| R134a | 8,800 | 8,880.6 | +0.9% |
| R410A | 7,615 | 7,462.7 | -2.0% |
| R404A | 4,850 | 4,913.4 | +1.3% |
Trend charts
R22 +4.1%
1,864 → 1,940.3 USD/ton
R32 -1.7%
8,500 → 8,358.2 USD/ton
R134a +0.9%
8,800 → 8,880.6 USD/ton
R410A -2.0%
7,615 → 7,462.7 USD/ton
R404A +1.3%
4,850 → 4,913.4 USD/ton
What moved the market
R22: scarcity keeps pushing prices up
R22 rose +4.1% over the period as HCFC production quotas continue to tighten under the Montreal Protocol phase-out schedule. With developed markets already phased out and Chinese quotas shrinking year by year, service demand for existing R22 equipment keeps meeting a smaller supply pool. We expect the R22 uptrend to persist into 2027, and reclaimed R22 remains the practical option for servicing markets that still allow it.
R32 and R410A: softer AC shipments drag prices down
R32 eased -1.7% and R410A followed with -2.0%. The driver this month sits on the demand side: air-conditioner shipments slowed through September–October, and with channel inventories still ample, R32 consumption from AC plants weakened faster than expected. Quota-constrained supply was not enough to defend spot prices. For buyers of R410A — a blend of R32 and R125 — this is a window to lock in Q1 volume at favorable levels.
R134a and R404A: EV growth and cold chain keep prices firm
R134a gained +0.9% on the steady expansion of the automotive segment. New energy vehicles are the key driver: an EV's thermal management system takes roughly twice as much refrigerant as the air-conditioner of a conventional combustion-engine car, and with EV output still climbing, R134a demand growth is outpacing other conventional HFCs. R404A in turn firmed +1.3% on cold-chain logistics projects. Both blends look well supported through the end of the year.
Newly added to our weekly tracking
We have expanded our price coverage. Latest reference prices (USD/ton):
| Product | 10 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|
| R407C | 8,182.1 |
| R507A | 4,888.0 |
| R290 | 1,925.3 |
| R600a | 1,776.1 |
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Related products: R22 · R32 · R134a · R410A · R404A · Live price chart